Hannibal man warns of computer-access scheme

Saturday

Jul 27, 2013 at 10:45 AM

A Hannibal man is warning of a computer scheme that has a stranger seeking remote access to one’s computer.

DANNY HENLEYdanny.henley@courierpost.com

A Hannibal man is warning of a computer scheme that has a stranger seeking remote access to one’s computer.Fred Miller reports receiving a phone call from an individual who claimed he was with Microsoft Windows Support’s Malware Division.“He told me they called because my computer was, without my knowledge, downloading Malware content for the past several weeks,” he said.The individual sought permission from Miller to access his computer remotely, which would have given him access to not only programs on the hard drive, but also all sorts of personal information that might be stored there.The more Miller talked to the individual, the more suspicious he became.“Every time I asked a question he hemmed and hawed around,” he said. “Finally I told him to get lost and hung up on him.”Curious, Miller attempted to call the number that had appeared on his caller ID. He discovered the number had been stolen.“They’ve hijacked that number and they’re calling it remotely and using it so it probably can’t be traced,” he said.